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59-Year-Old Casted For 16-Year-Old Role: A New Extreme For Asian Youth

by Ethel Navales

March 19, 2014

Many Asian women have been told time and time again that they look much younger than their actual age. After all, there are now grandmothers who look as young as their daughters. While we generally get irritated about this youthful look in our twenties, we’re constantly reminded that this will be a blessing for us when we get older. “When you’re in your forties, you’ll be thankful,” strangers preach. As it turns out, some of us may be thanking our genetics even beyond our forties.

Chinese actress Liu Xiaoqing is testing the limits of her youthful face. Taking Asian youth to a new extreme, the 59-year-old actress is playing a 16-year-old girl.

Xiaoqing has had quite a number achievements under her belt. Before turning 30, Xiaoqing acted in a number of films including her breakthrough role in The Burning of the Imperial Palace (1983) which earned her a number of awards at the Chinese film festivals. In fact, with three Best Actress awards and one Best Supporting Role award, she holds a record for having won the most number of awards in the actress categories of the Hundred Flowers Awards.

Additionally, Xiaoqing is a business woman and a published author. In 1999, she appeared on Forbes’ list of the 50 richest Chinese businessmen and businesswomen.

Now Xiaoqing will focus on a new impressive achievement by playing a character who is more than four decades younger than her actual age. The drama, Lotus Lantern, has already stirred up quite a bit of controversy.

DramaFever claims, “Some Chinese netizens are sneering at her for acting with ‘a face full of Botox.’ Liu, however, feels that a woman should never give up on feeling beautiful at any age. The director of her new drama, Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties, also praises her as one of the best actors in China and says that young age does not equate to excellence in acting.”

Audrey Magazine is an award-winning national publication that covers the Asian experience from the perspective of Asian American women. Audrey covers the latest talent and trends in entertainment, fashion, beauty and lifestyle.